Fluid cartridge powered pellet gun

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a pellet gun that comprises a gun and a cartridge. The cartridge is selectively positionable at the breach end of the barrel and includes an opening configured to selectively hold a pellet. The cartridge is also located inside the pellet gun such that when the cartridge is selectively holding the pellet the pellet is located in the barrel, and is selectively filled with a pressurized gas. The trigger initiates engagement with the cartridge to cause the gas in the cartridge to be exerted against the pellet which is fired through the barrel.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 61/942,883, filed on Feb. 21, 2014, entitled “Fluid Cartridge Powered Pellet Gun.” The subject matter disclosed in that provisional application is hereby expressly incorporated into the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to fluid powered pellet guns, and particularly, to a gun that receives a fluid filled cartridge that fires a pellet carried on the cartridge upon actuation of a trigger.

An embodiment of the present disclosure describes a pellet gun that fires a pellet from an air-filled cartridge. In one embodiment, the cartridge exhausts substantially all of its air pressure while firing the pellet to provide a high velocity projectile. Once the pellet is fired the cartridge may be removed from the firing mechanism and replaced with another. Each cartridge is configured to removably hold a pellet on its end. When inserted into the breach end of the gun and pressing the trigger, a firing pin engages the cartridge which fires the pellet. After the pellet is fired, the cartridge may be removed from the gun's barrel and a charged cartridge and pellet reinserted on its end. It is appreciated that one embodiment of such a gun may have the visual appearance of a Winchester High Wall rifle. It is further appreciated that other embodiments of the gun may have different appearances.

In another embodiment, a pellet such as a 78 grain pellet may be fired from a cartridge of the present disclosure at about one thousand feet per second. The cartridge may illustratively have about 4,500 psi pressure. It is appreciated that having gas or air in the cartridge may make the gun lighter considering the fire power in comparison to a pellet gun employing a standard canister or tank.

Another illustrative embodiment of this disclosure includes a gun such as that previously described where the pellet is fired through a barrel liner. In the illustrative embodiment, the barrel may be made of two components—an outer barrel and an inner barrel liner. The inner barrel liner fits within the outer barrel. Illustratively, the outer barrel may be made of aluminum, while the barrel liner is made of steel. This allows the pellet to be fired through the steel bore supported by the lighter outer barrel. This has the effect of reducing the overall weight of the gun.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure includes a refill system for the aforementioned cartridges. It is contemplated that in an embodiment the cartridges that fire the pellet are reusable. The cartridges may be refilled with air and a pellet after each use. In an illustrative embodiment, a fill chamber mechanism receives the cartridge and fills its interior chamber with air. It is appreciated that this system may recharge one or more cartridges at one time.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a pellet gun that comprises a gun and a cartridge. The gun includes a trigger, and a barrel. The barrel has a breach end. The cartridge is selectively positionable at the breach end of the barrel and includes an opening configured to selectively hold a pellet. The cartridge is also located inside the pellet gun such that when the cartridge is selectively holding the pellet the pellet is located in the barrel, and is selectively filled with a pressurized gas. The trigger initiates engagement with the cartridge to cause the gas in the cartridge to be exerted against the pellet which is fired through the barrel.

In the above and other embodiments, the pellet gun may also comprise: a firing pin that engages the cartridge which fires the pellet; the cartridge being removable from the breach end of the barrel; the cartridge being removable from at least a portion of the barrel of the gun; the barrel of the gun including a barrel liner located in the barrel wherein the barrel is made of aluminum and the barrel liner is made of steel; the cartridge being refillable and reusable by refilling the cartridge with the gas; the gas being selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and air; the gun further including a receiver, hammer, sear, trigger knuckle, knuckle, breach block, firing pin, lever, and a stock; the cartridge being formed from a tubular body having a pellet plug located at and opening located at one end configured to selectively hold the pellet; the cartridge including a cartridge tube having a chamber located therein; a firing pin plug that includes a bore disposed there through and configured to receive a valve pin; the firing pin plug coupling to the cartridge tube, a seal configured to position about the valve pin and fits in the bore to provide selective sealing between the valve pin and exterior of the cartridge, a plunger coupled to the valve pin and seal engages a spring which provides a bias force against the firing pin plug, wherein the spring also fits in a cavity in a piston head of a piston, a passage opening located in the piston head, wherein the piston also includes a piston rod that extends from the piston and terminates at a piston plug, and an O-ring about the opening to hold the pellet prior to firing; the cartridge being charged with the gas by the gas entering the cartridge through the bore in the firing pin plug, wherein the gas biases the valve pin, the gas then enters a second cavity in the piston head and then through a passage opening which fills the chamber in the cartridge until the chamber is full, wherein the cartridge is configured such that once the chamber is full back pressure and bias from the spring pushes against the plunger, seal, and valve pin to close the opening in the bore of the firing pin plug, wherein the gas in the chamber is in fluid communication with the cavity and the piston head, wherein the piston plug of the piston is configured to block the opening at the pellet plug, and wherein when the chamber is charged; wherein the cartridge is configured that when being actuated by the gun, the valve pin of the cartridge is moved by a firing pin in the gun, wherein the gas located in the cavity of the piston head escapes which causes the piston to move towards the firing pin plug, wherein movement of the piston causes the piston plug to move from the opening in the pellet plug, wherein this causes the gas in the chamber to apply a force against the pellet located in the opening, wherein the force of the gas applied to the opening is greater than back through the bore because the passage between the opening and the bore are not configured to allow enough of the gas to pass through, wherein the O-ring that holds the pellet at the opening is not strong enough to withstand the force of the gas exiting from the chamber which causes the pellet to be projected from the opening, and wherein the piston retracts to react to the bias of the spring which causes the plunger to push the seal against the bore in the firing pin plug to seal the bore; wherein the gun is configured to fire the pellet from the cartridge, wherein the cartridge is positioned into a firing chamber that is in communication with the barrel, wherein the brake block is moved via connection to the knuckle to expose the chamber which also moves the hammer to allow insertion of the cartridge into the firing chamber, and wherein the brake block and hammer are moved again after the cartridge is inserted into the firing chamber, wherein the hammer is moved to its firing position, wherein the hammer is configured to direct the firing pin to engage the valve pin in the cartridge when the trigger is pressed which causes the sear to release the trigger knuckle from the hammer which engages the firing pin which in turn engages the valve pin of the cartridge which fires the pellet.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a pellet gun that comprises a gun and a cartridge. The gun includes a trigger and a barrel, where the barrel has a breach end. The cartridge is selectively insertable into the gun and directed to the breach end of the barrel, and includes an opening configured to selectively hold a pellet. The cartridge is also located inside the pellet gun such that when the cartridge is selectively filled with a pressurized gas and selectively holds the pellet toward the barrel.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a pellet gun that comprises a gun and a cartridge. The gun includes a trigger and a barrel, where the barrel has a breach end. The cartridge is selectively insertable into the gun to the breach end of the barrel, and includes an opening configured to selectively hold a pellet. The cartridge is coaxially aligned with the barrel and when the cartridge is in the gun, it is filled with a pressurized gas.

Additional features and advantages of the pellet gun will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the gun as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative embodiment of a pellet gun;

FIG. 2 are perspective views of a gas cartridge and pellet;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the gun of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cut-away side view of the cartridge of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is another cut-away side view of the cartridge of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is another cut-away view of the cartridge of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cut away-side view of the cartridge of FIG. 2 shown firing or ejecting the pellet therefrom;

FIG. 9 is a side, cross-sectional detail view of a portion of the gun of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is another side, cross-sectional detail view of the gun of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is another side, cross-sectional detail view of a portion of the gun of FIG. 1, along with the cartridge of FIG. 2, wherein the cartridge is being inserted into the gun;

FIG. 12 is a side, cross-sectional detail view of the gun of FIG. 1 with the cartridge of FIG. 2 inserted therein;

FIG. 13 is another side, cross-sectional detail view of the gun of FIG. 1 with the cartridge of FIG. 2 inserted therein; and

FIG. 14 is another side, cross-sectional detail view of the gun of FIG. 1 and the cartridge of FIG. 2 wherein the pellet is being fired from the cartridge.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the pellet gun, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the pellet gun in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pellet gun 2, configured to hold a cartridge 4 and fire a pellet 6 (see FIG. 2) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Gun 2 includes barrel 8 receiver 10 and stock 12. The configuration of this pellet gun simulates a Winchester High Wall Rifle. It is appreciated that the configuration of the barrel, receiver, and stock (as well as other components) may be altered to give the appearance of alternate rifle designs.

In an illustrative embodiment, cartridge 4 is filled with air or some other gas and has pellet 6 removably attached. Cartridge 4 is placed inside the gun like a shotgun or large caliber cartridge. When trigger 14 is pressed, cartridge 4 is activated which releases the air or gas behind pellet 6, thereby projecting the same through barrel 8 and out its muzzle end 16.

An illustrative embodiment of cartridge 4 and illustrative pellet 6 are shown in FIG. 2. This view shows cartridge 4 including tubing 18 forming a body with pellet plug 20 extending from one end. Plug 20 includes an opening 22 configured to receive pellet 6. In this view, pellet 6 is shown spaced apart from pellet plug 20. When cartridge 4 is energized, however, pellet 6 is retained in opening 22 of plug 20 until the air inside tube 18 ejects pellet 6 from cartridge 4.

An exploded view of gun 2 is shown in FIG. 3. In addition to barrel 8, receiver 10, and stock 12, gun 2 may further include trigger 14, hammer 24, sear 26, trigger knuckle 28, knuckle 30, breach block 32, firing pin 34, and trigger guard/lever 36. This illustrative embodiment of receiver 10 may be composed of receiver halves 38 and 40 that sandwich trigger components 14, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34.

An exploded view of cartridge 4 is shown in FIG. 4. Cartridge 4 includes a cartridge tube 18 having open ends 44 and 46 that provide access to chamber 48 which is the interior of tube 46. A firing pin plug 50 includes a bore 52 disposed therethrough and configured to receive a firing or valve pin 54. It is appreciated that firing pin plug 50 may include a threaded periphery and an O-ring 56 so that plug 50 may attach and seal to tube 18 having corresponding threads formed at opening 46. A seal 58 is configured to position about valve pin 54 and fits in bore 52 to provide selective sealing between valve 54 and exterior of cartridge 4. A plunger 60 attaches to valve pin 54 and seal 58, and engages a spring 62 which provides a bias force against firing pin plug 50. Spring 62 illustratively fits in a cavity 66 in piston head 64 of piston 68. (See, also, FIG. 5). Passage opening 84 is also shown in piston head 64. O-ring 70 fits about piston head 64 to provide a seal between portions of chamber 48. Cartridge piston 68 also includes a piston rod 72 that extends distally from piston 64 terminating at piston plug 74. An O-ring 76 fits about plug 74 to further insure a seal between it and opening 22 in pellet plug 20. O-ring 78 fits about pellet plug 20. A threaded end portion of plug 20 may be employed to engage corresponding threads about opening 44 in tube 18 as an attachment means for pellet plug 20. An O-ring 80 fits around a head portion 82 of pellet plug 20 in order to help secure pellet 6 and opening 22.

The side cut-away views of cartridge 4 in FIGS. 5-8 demonstrate how it is charged and fires pellet 6 from gun 2. The cut away view of cartridge 4 shown in FIG. 5 demonstrates how fluid such as air fills chamber 48 to provide the pressure that ultimately fires pellet 6. In this illustrative embodiment, air may enter cartridge 4 via bore 52 in firing pin plug 50. Pushing valve pin 54 in direction 90 creates a space that allows air to flow through to enter bore 52, as indicated by directional arrow 94. It is appreciated that the air may enter all around the moved valve pin 54 to enter bore 52. At this point, the air also enters cavity 66 in piston head 64. The air is then free to escape piston head 64 through passage opening 84 and fill chamber 48, as indicated by directional arrow 96. The process continues until the chamber 48 is full. At this point, back pressure and spring 62 pushes against plunger 60, seal 58, and valve pin 54 to close any opening in bore 52 of firing pin plug 50. Seal 58, being biased against bore 52 by spring 62 ensures air does not leak out. Cartridge 4 is thus charged as shown in FIG. 6.

The view of cartridge 4 shown in FIG. 6 is charged with air in chamber 48 and is now ready to be inserted into gun 2 for firing, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. As demonstrated by FIG. 6, however, plunger 60 along with seal 58 is biased against bore 52 by spring 62, thereby preventing air from escaping out of cartridge 4. It is appreciated from this view that air in chamber 48 is in fluid communication with cavity 66 and piston head 64. At the other end of cartridge 4, piston plug 74 of piston 68 blocks opening 22 at pellet plug 20. With the aid of O-ring 76, none of the air in chamber 48 can exit into the end of pellet plug 20. Pellet 6 is being held into place by O-ring 80. In this illustrative embodiment, both firing pin plug 50 and pellet plug 20 are threaded to mate with corresponding threads at the ends of cartridge 4 as shown by this view. At this point, and as previously mentioned and described further herein, when in this state, cartridge 4 is in condition to be inserted into gun 2 to fire pellet 6.

The cross-sectional side view of cartridge 4 shown in FIG. 7 demonstrates how cartridge 4 operates when being fired. In this view, first valve pin 54 is pushed in direction 90 by a firing pin 34 shown further herein in FIGS. 13 and 14. When this happens, air located in cavity 66 of piston head 64 escapes first, as indicated by directional arrow 98. When this happens, piston 68 moves or collapses in direction 92 towards firing pin plug 50. (Compare relative positions of piston 68 in FIGS. 6 and 7.) Because piston 68 is of a finite length, when it moves in direction 92, piston plug 74 is removed from opening 22 in pellet plug 20. This causes the air that is in chamber 48 to quickly escape from opening 22, as indicated by directional arrow 100. The air releases more from opening 22 than back through bore 52 because passage opening 84 between openings 22 and 52 is so small not enough air volume can pass through passage 84, so the path of least resistance ends up being opening 22.

The cross-sectional view of cartridge 4 shown in FIG. 8 demonstrates its operation when pellet 6 is fired therefrom. As shown therein, pellet 6 is fired from opening 22 of pellet plug 20. O-ring 80 that assists seating pellet 6 in opening 22 is not strong enough to withstand the force of air that exits from chamber 48 out through opening 22. Piston 68 is shown retracted in direction 92, which along with spring 62, causes plunger 60 to push seal 58 against bore 52 in firing pin plug 50, thereby sealing bore 52. It is appreciated that the air pressure may be sufficient enough, such as 4,500 psi, to fire a 78 grain pellet at about 1000 feet per second. Changing the fill pressure, pellet weight, and barrel design may change this number.

The views shown in FIGS. 9 through 14 demonstrate how gun 2 shoots a pellet 6 from cartridge 4. The side cross-sectional view of a portion of gun 2 is shown in FIG. 9. The shown position is a start position where chamber 102 of receiver 10 is closed, hammer 24 is released, and no cartridge 4 is in the gun. This view also shows how cartridge 4 is sized to fit into chamber 102 that is in communication with bore 104 through which pellet 6 travels when fired.

The side cross-sectional detailed view of receiver 10 portion of gun 2 is shown in FIG. 10 where chamber 102 is open and configured to receive cartridge 4. By pulling guard lever 36 in direction 106, break block 32 is pulled downward via connection with knuckle 30 to expose chamber 102 as shown. This also pulls hammer 24 out of the way as well. The view shown in FIG. 11 is similar to that of 10 except here cartridge 4 is being inserted into chamber 102 of receiver 10. As shown, break block 32 and hammer 24 are out of the way of the path of travel of cartridge 4. Hammer 24 is also cocked when moved to the shown position. Once cartridge 4 is inserted into chamber 102, as the side cross-sectional view of FIG. 12 shows, guard lever 36 may be pivoted back in direction 108 to raise break block 32 and hammer 24 to their original position.

The view in FIG. 13 shows lever 36 in its use position. When this happens, hammer 24 does not move back to its original position, since it is located in its cocked position. Being in the cocked position, only manual release or pulling trigger 14 will release hammer 24. As shown in this view, firing pin 34 is directed to valve pin 54 in cartridge 4. Here the gun is in condition for firing, but has not yet fired. The view shown in FIG. 14 demonstrates the gun's action when trigger 14 is pulled. When that happens, trigger 14 causes sear 26 to release trigger knuckle 28 from hammer 24 which engages firing pin 34 which engages valve pin 54 to open cartridge 4 as described with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8 as previously discussed. Accordingly, air exiting opening 22 fires pellet 6 through bore 104. It is appreciated that cartridge 4 may be refilled as previously discussed, and gun 2 recycled as also previously discussed, to prepare another pellet for firing.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present disclosure and various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosures. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pellet gun comprising: a gun which includes a trigger, and a barrel; wherein the barrel has a breach end; a cartridge selectively positionable at the breach end of the barrel; wherein the cartridge includes an opening configured to selectively hold a pellet; wherein the cartridge is located inside the pellet gun such that when the cartridge is selectively holding the pellet the pellet is located in the barrel; wherein the cartridge which is selectively filled with a pressurized gas; and wherein the trigger initiates engagement with the cartridge that causes the gas in the cartridge to be exerted against the pellet which is fired through the barrel.
 2. The pellet gun of claim 1, wherein cartridge is configured to hold one pellet.
 3. The pellet gun of claim 1, further comprising a firing pin that engages the cartridge which fires the pellet.
 4. The pellet gun of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is removable from the breach end of the barrel.
 5. The pellet gun of claim 1, wherein cartridge is removable from at least a portion of the barrel of the gun.
 6. The pellet gun of claim 1, wherein the barrel of the gun includes a barrel liner located in the barrel wherein the barrel is made of aluminum and the barrel liner is made of steel.
 7. The pellet gun of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is refillable and reusable by refilling the cartridge with the gas.
 8. The pellet gun of claim 1, wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and air.
 9. The pellet gun of claim 1, wherein the gun further includes a receiver, hammer, sear, trigger knuckle, knuckle, breach block, firing pin, lever, and a stock.
 10. The pellet gun of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is formed from a tubular body having a pellet plug located at and opening located at one end configured to selectively hold the pellet.
 11. The pellet gun of claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes a cartridge tube having a chamber located therein; a firing pin plug that includes a bore disposed there through and configured to receive a valve pin.
 12. The pellet gun of claim 11, wherein the firing pin plug couples to the cartridge tube; a seal configured to position about the valve pin and fits in the bore to provide selective sealing between the valve pin and exterior of the cartridge; a plunger coupled to the valve pin and seal engages a spring which provides a bias force against the firing pin plug; wherein the spring also fits in a cavity in a piston head of a piston; a passage opening located in the piston head; wherein the piston also includes a piston rod that extends from the piston and terminates at a piston plug; and an O-ring about the opening to hold the pellet prior to firing.
 13. The pellet gun of claim 12, wherein the cartridge is charged with the gas by the gas entering the cartridge through the bore in the firing pin plug; wherein the gas biases the valve pin; the gas then enters a second cavity in the piston head and then through a passage opening which fills the chamber in the cartridge until the chamber is full; wherein the cartridge is configured such that once the chamber is full back pressure and bias from the spring pushes against the plunger, seal, and valve pin to close the opening in the bore of the firing pin plug; wherein the gas in the chamber is in fluid communication with the cavity and the piston head; wherein the piston plug of the piston is configured to block the opening at the pellet plug; and wherein when the chamber is charged.
 14. The pellet gun of claim 13, wherein the cartridge is configured that when being actuated by the gun, the valve pin of the cartridge is moved by a firing pin in the gun; wherein the gas located in the cavity of the piston head escapes which causes the piston to move towards the firing pin plug; wherein movement of the piston causes the piston plug to move from the opening in the pellet plug; wherein this causes the gas in the chamber to apply a force against the pellet located in the opening; wherein the force of the gas applied to the opening is greater than back through the bore because the passage between the opening and the bore are not configured to allow enough of the gas to pass through; wherein the O-ring that holds the pellet at the opening is not strong enough to withstand the force of the gas exiting from the chamber which causes the pellet to be projected from the opening; and wherein the piston retracts to react to the bias of the spring which causes the plunger to push the seal against the bore in the firing pin plug to seal the bore.
 15. The pellet gun of claim 1, wherein the gun is configured to fire the pellet from the cartridge; wherein the cartridge is positioned into a firing chamber that is in communication with the barrel; wherein the brake block is moved via connection to the knuckle to expose the chamber, which also moves the hammer, to allow insertion of the cartridge into the firing chamber; wherein the brake block and hammer are moved again after the cartridge is inserted into the firing chamber; wherein the hammer is moved to its firing position; wherein the hammer is configured to direct the firing pin to engage the valve pin in the cartridge when the trigger is pressed which causes the sear to release the trigger knuckle from the hammer, which engages the firing pin, which in turn engages the valve pin of the cartridge, which fires the pellet.
 16. A pellet gun comprising: a gun which includes a trigger, and a barrel; wherein the barrel has a breach end; a cartridge selectively insertable into the gun and directed to the breach end of the barrel; wherein the cartridge includes an opening configured to selectively hold a pellet; wherein the cartridge is located inside the pellet gun such that when the cartridge is selectively holding the pellet the pellet is directed toward the barrel; and wherein the cartridge which is selectively filled with a pressurized gas.
 17. A pellet gun comprising: a gun which includes a trigger, and a barrel; wherein the barrel has a breach end; a cartridge selectively insertable into the breach end of the gun and directed to the barrel; wherein the cartridge includes an opening configured to selectively hold a pellet; wherein the cartridge is coaxially aligned with the barrel; wherein the cartridge in the gun is selectively filled with a pressurized gas. 